Biography 
Alfred Muma is a transplanted Ontarioian who became a BC resident in 1984. He’s been a practising painter and printmaker since graduating from the Visual Arts Instructor Training Program at Seneca College, King Campus, Ontario, 1975. His first solo exhibition at the King City Public Library Art Gallery was the first of forty-two solo exhibitions between 1975 and 2016 and 87 group and juried exhibitions. His works are in private, corporate and public collections in Canada, USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Scandinavia and China. He has been published in three books: Artists of BC, Vol 3, Art in the Workplace, the collection of Valeska Ramsay and Out of the Dark, Night Paintings by Alfred Muma.
He and his wife left Toronto, Ontario in 1977 for the Highlands of Hastings, just outside of Bancroft owning and exhibiting yearly shows from Trout Lake Schoolhouse Studio. In 1984 they moved to Haida Gwaii where they met Heidi and Michael. Their respective families grew together until both families moved away. Alfred opened Among Friends Studio & Gallery in Queen Charlotte in 1990 and continued running the gallery until moving to Powell River in 1997. Among Friends, Studio was reopened in 1998 and has been Alfred’s Studio since then.
Alfred works in watercolours and oils on location. Large studio works include music interpretation and non-objective acrylics. His printmaking experience includes intaglio, serigraphy and watercolour printing. Today he works carving relief prints in wood and Lino blocks as well using stencil printing techniques.
Alfred’s inspiration comes from the natural environment during the day and urban night scenes across water, music, the figure, ideas upon waking and everyday objects found in every day living. Another source of inspiration is collaborative projects with other artists in visual and performing arts. He and his wife have recently moved to Texada Island where Alfred continues working in his studio and keeping his eyes open for opportunities to collaborate with and get to know other artists.
Web and Social Media Links
Personal Website- Alfred Muma, Among Friends Studio-http:/www.awmuma.com
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/alfred.Muma
LinkedIn -https:/ca.linkedin.com/in/alfred-muma.626ab314
Collaboration Interests & Artist Statement
I find a great and rewarding challenge working with other artists on specific projects ranging simply from painting together on location to major productions that are displayed or performed in a public venue. One example I’ve had the privilege to collaborate in was “Convergence” an exhibition performance with a stained glass artist, weaver, poet, composer/musician with a trio and a dancer and myself as a painter. The unifying device of the performance was being performed in the dark spotlights highlighted the music, poetry, dancer, musicians and visual arts as each took their place in the performance. Convergence was performed in the Music Gallery, Toronto, Ontario.
Another was ” Cumshewa Head, a celebration ” with a photographer, sculptor and myself as a painter. This collaboration resulted in an exhibition at the Haida Gwaii Museum. It was not intended to be a political event but it became one which helped save Cumshewa Head from logging.
If I have to make an artist statement, the only thing I can say is that I’m driven to be creative. If I do not sketch, paint, or collaborate my life has an empty void leaving me feeling incomplete. The other point is as long as it is fun, enjoyable or fulfilling then the creative energies are abundant.
happy creating
Alfred Muma